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The most famous tapestry in the world if the Bayeux Tapestry, a historical record created in the 11th century as a piece of Norman propaganda to justify why Duke William of Normandy had the right to seize the English throne from King Harold.

It is generally agreed that the Bayeux Tapestry was made in England by and Anglo-Saxon worksop and was commissioned by Bishop Odon of Bayeux, the half brother of...more »

Pictures & images of the Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux, France.

The most famous tapestry in the world if the Bayeux Tapestry, a historical record created in the 11th century as a piece of Norman propaganda to justify why Duke William of Normandy had the right to seize the English throne from King Harold.

It is generally agreed that the Bayeux Tapestry was made in England by and Anglo-Saxon worksop and was commissioned by Bishop Odon of Bayeux, the half brother of William the Conqueror.

The story told by the Bayeux Tapestry starts in 1604 when the tapestry alleges that Edward the Confessor, the King of England, sensing his death was imminent and having no heirs commanded his brother-in-law Harold Hardrada to sail to Normandy and inform William Duke of Normandy that he would be Edwards successor to the English throne. This is where the controversy starts as under Anglo-Saxon law the King of England when no heir existed would have to be chosen by the Witan, the Anglo-Saxon council.

Harold was blown off course and landed in hostile territory and was taken hostage by the local lord. In the Bayeux Tapestry it is shown that Harold was rescued by William who made him his honoured house guest, or moire precisely kept him under house arrest. Harold would be released when he swore fealty to William. This he dis but it is shown in the tapestry that Harold was tricked into swearing his allegiance to William over the bones of a saint. In medieval times this was a binding oath and breaking it would bring down the wrath of the Pope with dire consequences. William would use this as a way of getting a Papal blessing to invade England.

The Bayeux Tapestry then shows the death of Edward the confessor and Harold crowning himself King of England. Enraged William builds ships and get an army together to cross the English Channel and take his rightful place as King of England.

The Bayeux Tapestry shows, as can be seen in our photos, in extreme detail the main events of the Battle of Hastings and studies of the tapestry have laid the foundation of the history that is taught today about how the Battle of Hastings was conducted. It is unclear from the tapestry whether Harold actually died at the battle with an arrow in his eye. It seems that the arrow may have been added later and it is also not clear whether the character with an arrow in his eye is Harold.

The Bayeux Tapestry is a wonderful piece of art and Norman propaganda. It is rare for medieval tapestries to survive as they are extremely fragile and vulnerable to water and pest damage. At 0.5 x 68.38 metres (1.6 by 224.3 ft) long the Bayeux Tapestry is an incredible piece of art.

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